Robin backs medical cannabis
SEN. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla is optimistic that Senate Bill (SB) 2573 or the proposed “Cannabis Medicalization Act of the Philippines” would soon become a law.
“I am positive that SB 2573 would soon become a law. A United Nations Commission has proven that cannabis has medicinal benefits,” Padilla, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act of the Philippines, said during an interview on “Prime Times,” a program of The Manila Times hosted by lawyer Lia Badillo-Crisostomo.
The senator said that in December 2020, a UN commission voted to remove cannabis for medicinal purposes from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs, a highly anticipated and long-delayed decision that could clear the way for an expansion of marijuana research and medical use.
The vote by the Commission for Narcotic Drugs, which is based in Vienna and includes 53 member states, considered a series of recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) on reclassifying cannabis and its derivatives.
But attention centered on a key recommendation to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — where it was listed alongside dangerous and highly addictive opioids like heroin.
Experts say the vote will have no immediate impact on loosening international controls because governments will still have jurisdiction over how to classify cannabis. But many countries look to global conventions for guidance, and United Nations recognition is a symbolic win for advocates of drug policy change who say that international law is out of date.
During the interview, Padilla said that before he introduced the Cannabis Medicalization Bill, he conducted studies and research about it, adding that he visited countries like the Netherlands and Israel which have both legalized medical marijuana.
On Wednesday, Padilla reported Committee Report 210 for SB 2573 for plenary deliberations and debates. This comes after 12 senators signed the Committee Report on the measure that seeks to legalize the use of medical marijuana or cannabis.
Senators who signed the Committee Report 210 include Senators
Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Mark Villar, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo, Mary Grace Poe and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd and Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva also signed the report.
SB 2573 seeks the creation of the Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority (PMCA) under the Department of Health (DoH) and will be the principal agency in charge of the implementation of the proposed law, and access and use of medical cannabis.
The PMCA will be assisted by the inter-agency Medical Cannabis
Advisory Committee. The PMCA shall also be in charge of identifying the specific areas allowable for the cultivation of marijuana.
Under the proposed law, the cultivation shall only be permitted in a closed, locked and controlled facility, and the cultivation shall not be located within one kilometer of the property line of preexisting public or private school, college or university, daycare center, child care facility or an area zoned for residential use.
The measure recognizes the beneficial and therapeutic effects of marijuana on certain medical conditions and its use will be restricted to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating disease or symptoms.